Pseudorabies virus is a disease of swine that can also affect cattle, horses, dogs, cats, sheep and goats. "The pseudorabies virus is not contagious to humans, not even to people working on farms with PRV-infected animals or through consumption of meat from infected animals," said WPA President Jonathan Wyttenbach. "Screening tests for PRV are randomly conducted at slaughter facilities, and shows that the system for detection across the state of Wisconsin is working." In addition, Wyttenbach says it reinforces the importance of the mandatory premises registration law in the state.


Pseudovirus-free status
The Winconsin department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will directly notify those individuals with registered swine premises about the pseudorabies case.
DATCP now has 15 days from confirmation to depopulate the infected herd and test all swine herds within five miles of the infected herd in order to retain Wisconsin's pseudorabies-free status. Most of the animals will be allowed to go to slaughter for use as food, because the meat is safe to eat.


All pork producers are reminded at this time to practice sound biosecurity measures when travelling off the farm, transporting animals to market, and restricting outside visitors to their operations.


Related websites:
Wisconsin Pork Association 

DATCP